Hoplon InfoSec
16 May, 2025
Mobile security Solutions for the Manufacturing Industries is being crutial in 2025. The manufacturing industry stands at a pivotal crossroads for the data breaches. While digital transformation has ushered in innovation and efficiency, it has also introduced significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Cyberattacks are no longer confined to data breaches; they are increasingly capable of halting production lines, disrupting supply chains, and causing extensive financial and reputational damage.
This case study based on insights shared by Amol Asher, a representative from Seqrite, a leading enterprise cybersecurity solutions provider, examines the core cybersecurity challenges in the manufacturing sector. It identifies vulnerabilities stemming from IT/OT convergence, legacy systems, and proprietary communication protocols, and it presents Seqrite’s Zero Trust framework as a robust response to these threats. The article concludes with strategic guidance for building long-term cyber resilience in an era of rapid digital advancement.
As global economies lean heavily on manufacturing, the sector’s shift toward digital transformation has reshaped the production landscape. Innovations such as IoT-enabled smart factories, automation, and cloud-integrated operations have enhanced productivity, but not without risk. This digital interconnectedness, especially between Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT), has opened new doors for cybercriminals.
In a discussion featuring Amol Asher of Seqrite, it became evident that manufacturing firms now face not just data theft, but operational sabotage. The convergence of historically isolated systems introduces an urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity strategies that encompass both domains.
High-profile attacks, including those on Colonial Pipeline in the U.S. and Suzuki Motorcycles in India, exemplify the expanding impact of cyber threats. No longer restricted to stealing data, modern attacks aim to disrupt operations, shut down machinery, halt production, or corrupt supply chains. The manufacturing industry now finds itself a prime target, as attackers seek to exploit system vulnerabilities for extortion, industrial espionage, or political sabotage.
Manufacturers are increasingly integrating IT systems, such as ERP software and data analytics, with OT systems, such as SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers). This convergence delivers operational efficiency but creates a shared threat surface. OT environments, traditionally shielded and engineered for reliability, now connect to networks where cybersecurity is a persistent concern. Consequently, a breach in IT can now ripple into OT domains, threatening physical operations.
Many OT components in manufacturing facilities are decades old and were never designed with cybersecurity in mind. Updating or patching them is often impractical, risky, or contractually prohibited. This “update paradox” leaves these systems exposed to cyber threats that modern security software may not even detect or be able to mitigate without introducing downtime or instability.
Manufacturers often use proprietary communication protocols in their OT systems. These protocols, while specialized, lack robust security features and can bypass traditional IT security monitoring tools. Without a unified monitoring solution, these “blind spots” allow attackers to exploit vulnerabilities undetected.
A recent industry poll conducted during the Seqrite-led discussion reveals key pain points voiced by manufacturing leaders:
- Lack of Skilled Personnel: Employees remain the weakest link in cybersecurity. A general lack of cybersecurity awareness makes organizations vulnerable to phishing, poor password hygiene, and unintentional internal breaches.
- Rapidly Evolving Threats: Attackers now employ AI, deepfakes, ransomware-as-a-service, and sophisticated social engineering techniques. The rapid evolution of malware strains makes static defenses obsolete within months.
- Data and IP Protection: Manufacturing companies handle sensitive intellectual property, customer databases, and proprietary designs. The risk of industrial espionage and ransomware demands stringent data protection protocols.
These insights reveal an industry grappling with both technological and human vulnerabilities.
Seqrite, through Amol Asher, presented a detailed strategy focusing primarily on securing the IT environment in manufacturing settings. At the heart of this strategy lies the Zero Trust Security model.
Zero Trust follows the principle of “never trust, always verify.” It assumes that threats can originate internally or externally, and no device or user is inherently trustworthy. All network access is conditional, requiring continuous authentication, authorization, and monitoring.
1. Endpoint Security: Protects desktops, laptops, and servers from known and unknown threats using AI-driven threat detection and behavior analytics.
2. Mobile Device Management: Secures smartphones and tablets that access corporate networks, mitigating BYOD (Bring Your Device) risks.
3. Extended Detection and Response (XDR): This offers cross-layered threat correlation and real-time visibility across network traffic, endpoints, and users. It enhances detection speed and streamlines incident response.
4. Data Privacy Tools: Ensure compliance with global data regulations (e.g., GDPR, India’s DPDP Act) and protect intellectual property.
5. Seqrite Labs: This in-house R&D team monitors the global threat landscape and refines Seqrite’s defense mechanisms continuously.
6. Hawkeye Central Management Console: Offers a unified platform to manage all deployed security solutions, giving CISOs and IT teams centralized control and visibility.
Together, these tools create a multi-layered security posture aimed at protecting enterprise IT networks from sophisticated cyber threats.
While Seqrite’s current focus lies in IT cybersecurity, the principles underpinning their Zero Trust model offer valuable lessons for OT environments:
- Segment and Monitor: OT networks should be segmented from broader enterprise IT systems and continuously monitored for anomalies.
- Collaborate Across Teams: IT and OT departments must collaborate on incident response planning, risk assessments, and system upgrades.
- Leverage Specialized Tools: While Seqrite provides strong IT protection, OT environments may require specialized tools tailored for SCADA and industrial protocol analysis. However, principles such as least privilege access, real-time monitoring, and micro-segmentation still apply.
This underscores the need for a unified approach to security—one that bridges the organizational and technological gap between IT and OT teams.
In May 2025, Nucor, a leading steel manufacturer in the U.S., experienced a cybersecurity incident that led to the suspension of certain production operations. The breach involved unauthorized access to the company’s IT systems, prompting immediate action to contain and remediate the issue.
Key Takeaway: Even industry giants are not immune to cyber threats. Proactive mobile security measures are essential to prevent operational disruptions.
In 2019, Norsk Hydro, a Norwegian aluminum manufacturer, suffered a ransomware attack that affected over 3,000 servers. Instead of paying the ransom, the company chose to rebuild its systems, incurring losses estimated at $70 million.
Note: A strong incident response plan and investment in mobile security can mitigate long-term damages. To book a consultation from industry experts, click here.
Futurism Technologies collaborated with a Fortune 500 manufacturing company to bolster its cybersecurity infrastructure. The initiative focused on securing industrial control systems, protecting sensitive data, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
Note: Tailored mobile security solutions can address specific challenges in complex manufacturing environments.
“Manufacturers must adopt a proactive approach to cybersecurity, integrating mobile security solutions that offer real-time monitoring and threat detection.”
“The convergence of IT and OT systems necessitates a unified security strategy that includes robust mobile device management.”
The evolving threat landscape requires manufacturing firms to move beyond reactive cybersecurity and adopt proactive, holistic strategies:
✅ Recognize the New Threat Profile: Operational disruptions can be more damaging than data loss. Prioritize securing systems critical to production continuity.
✅ Adopt Zero Trust Principles: Implement identity-based access control, multi-factor authentication, and real-time monitoring.
✅ Upgrade Securely: Create a roadmap to phase out legacy systems or isolate them within segmented networks. Apply risk-based prioritization for upgrades.
✅ Invest in Cyber Hygiene: Conduct regular employee training on phishing, password protocols, and incident reporting.
✅ Establish Incident Response Plans: Collaborate with IT and OT teams to simulate attack scenarios and test organizational readiness.
✅ Work with Experts: Partner with cybersecurity firms like Seqrite for IT defense and consider dedicated OT cybersecurity vendors for plant-level protection.
The digital transformation of manufacturing is inevitable, but so are the cybersecurity challenges it brings. The insights shared by Amol Asher of Seqrite paint a stark yet actionable picture. By embracing models like Zero Trust, investing in layered defenses, and fostering cross-department collaboration, manufacturers can protect both their data and their operational integrity.
In a nutshell, in this interconnected era, cybersecurity is no longer an IT-only issue it is a business-critical function that requires executive attention, technical rigor, and continuous adaptation. Through vigilance, collaboration, and the right tools, the manufacturing industry can build resilience and thrive safely in the digital age.
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